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Volunteer 4711
I was forced to volunteer.
Transported to an alien world.
Stolen by an alien pirate.
I must integrate to gain my freedom.
Transported to an alien world.
Stolen by an alien pirate.
I must integrate to gain my freedom.
282 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 15, 2022
306 people are currently reading
174 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
October 23, 2022
Surprisingly earthy and very well on the point. Sure took me a bit and at least 3 to 5 chapter to identify the parallels and get into it but then it was a very well structured and developed.
Maybe it’s a shame or the best way by reading a SciFi book which story leaves the earth and our problems to acknowledge the struggles and challenges in a alien world and society to get a better understanding and empathy for our migrant and their life on our world day by day in every country.
On a whim, one click based on a blurb that didn't really exist, this book completely surprised me, very positively. And because I couldn't find any other real critical comments, I give it 4 stars for the story and a fat extra star for the unexpected profundity and topicality. A really very successful and sensitive way through a book for more understanding and sensitivity.
Maybe it’s a shame or the best way by reading a SciFi book which story leaves the earth and our problems to acknowledge the struggles and challenges in a alien world and society to get a better understanding and empathy for our migrant and their life on our world day by day in every country.
On a whim, one click based on a blurb that didn't really exist, this book completely surprised me, very positively. And because I couldn't find any other real critical comments, I give it 4 stars for the story and a fat extra star for the unexpected profundity and topicality. A really very successful and sensitive way through a book for more understanding and sensitivity.
January 18, 2023
An intergalactic doormat. This was painful to read. DNF 92%.
October 20, 2022
I was unsure what to think of this book. There are no typos or sloppy editing, but… Maybe the problem is that I was expecting a genre sci-fi romance novel, and this does not really fit neatly in that genre. The hero could up and marry four more wives whenever he wanted to, which I considered weird for a romance novel. Also, I could not for the life of me figure out why they called slaves volunteers. I was like, “ I don’t think that word means what you think it means.” Also, no one in this entire novel is ever called by their name, and we never find out the name of anyone throughout this whole novel. I found that an odd style choice. This was just a weird book that did not succeed at doing weird in a neat or enjoyable way, in my opinion.
I received a free copy of this book, and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book, and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 9, 2022
I’ve been looking for books about humans interacting with aliens after first contact and discovered this book by accident. It started out well then devolved into this creepy porn book with hints of 50 Shades of Grey.
October 7, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ rounded up. This was my first alien romance, and overall I enjoyed it! The world-building was solid, and I really liked both the FMC and MMC , they had great chemistry and emotional depth.
That said, the story moved a bit slowly for my taste. It focused almost entirely on the relationship, without much external conflict or action driving the plot. I tend to prefer when there’s a larger problem or mission woven in something like saving the world or uncovering a bigger mystery alongside the romance.
There are some interesting themes about oppression and freedom, but I wish they’d been explored more deeply. Still, I can’t say I didn’t enjoy myself, it’s unique, and definitely unlike any other sci-fi romance I’ve read. The audiobook was well done too, which added a lot to the experience.
Overall, I’m a little conflicted. I liked the characters and the world, but I just wanted more. If you’re in the mood for a slower, character-focused romance set in space, this one’s worth checking out.
That said, the story moved a bit slowly for my taste. It focused almost entirely on the relationship, without much external conflict or action driving the plot. I tend to prefer when there’s a larger problem or mission woven in something like saving the world or uncovering a bigger mystery alongside the romance.
There are some interesting themes about oppression and freedom, but I wish they’d been explored more deeply. Still, I can’t say I didn’t enjoy myself, it’s unique, and definitely unlike any other sci-fi romance I’ve read. The audiobook was well done too, which added a lot to the experience.
Overall, I’m a little conflicted. I liked the characters and the world, but I just wanted more. If you’re in the mood for a slower, character-focused romance set in space, this one’s worth checking out.
October 20, 2022
The book took me a minute to get into cause it was detailed. At first I did not think I would read the book but it wasn't until the 3rd chapter is when the book picked up. I understood why the details was needed.
The relationship between 4711 and the Commander was vague, sort of like like the beginning of a romantic relationship. However this relationship was not meant in the beginning to be that, although each of them was falling for the other, there were strict rules that the Commander followed and expected the others under his command to follow also. 4711 came into her own under the tutelage of the Commander, and she learned that once she was in the "care" of the Commander she flourished.
I believe the Commander was searching for something more stable than the position he was thrust into. Yes, he was great at his post and he was held in high regard but there was just something about his treatment of 4711 that made me feel as though he was looking for love, and he found it 4711.
As the book goes on they both come to realize that in order to protect her and him to keep his promise they must go again the norm and marry. Once married they find they were an unconventional relationship all along...everyone else knew they just needed to be pushed..and oh what a push.
Note: I have to give the author kudos at the end of the book about explaining each particle trigger or situation in the set up, the treatment and what she was going for in writing the book in the manner it was written.
Excellent read and it makes you think!!!!!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The relationship between 4711 and the Commander was vague, sort of like like the beginning of a romantic relationship. However this relationship was not meant in the beginning to be that, although each of them was falling for the other, there were strict rules that the Commander followed and expected the others under his command to follow also. 4711 came into her own under the tutelage of the Commander, and she learned that once she was in the "care" of the Commander she flourished.
I believe the Commander was searching for something more stable than the position he was thrust into. Yes, he was great at his post and he was held in high regard but there was just something about his treatment of 4711 that made me feel as though he was looking for love, and he found it 4711.
As the book goes on they both come to realize that in order to protect her and him to keep his promise they must go again the norm and marry. Once married they find they were an unconventional relationship all along...everyone else knew they just needed to be pushed..and oh what a push.
Note: I have to give the author kudos at the end of the book about explaining each particle trigger or situation in the set up, the treatment and what she was going for in writing the book in the manner it was written.
Excellent read and it makes you think!!!!!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 1, 2023
Started off very well and story developed slowly almost too slowly. We were then introduced to the hero who’s pic was very stilted and story was still slow. The. For last 20% no character or relationship was developed and everything happened too quickly in what felt like an info dump.
November 25, 2022
Hard To Finish
I can't believe I actually made it through this whole book. Awful. Just awful. Bad writing. So many things did not gel in this book
I can't believe I actually made it through this whole book. Awful. Just awful. Bad writing. So many things did not gel in this book
June 3, 2023
This was an interesting book, but I don't know that it was categorized right. Although it does contain hints of romance and it definitely contains sex… I wouldn't call it a romance, because that is not at all what this book was about. There were a lot of different underlying themes in this book, each carefully crafted to present those themes, some more overt than others. It was easy to see that the author put a lot of thought into crafting the story and what happened to Volunteer 4711, though many of these well-thought-out story moments weren't pleasant. I understand what the author was trying to do, and I think it made a book that was very thought-provoking and interesting to read… but I don't know that it made it a good book.
The story took place over a long period of time with many jump cuts, and it made sense for the book to take place over a long period, but writing the book this way had its consequences. It meant that the reader didn't get to see all the ways the main character was forced to acclimatize to her new situation. It didn't allow for the reader to get an in-depth feel for the relationships between the characters, or the slow build of the romance. It sometimes made the book feel very impersonal and distanced from the reader.
And although I can't blame it all on the time factor, this was the main reason I had trouble with this book; the romance and interpersonal relationships between the characters didn't make a lot of sense from the reader's point of view. There was no flirting and no sexual tension between the commander and Volunteer 4711. Sure, there was some lust here and there, but it felt more like it was a consequence of both of the characters being celibate for an extended period of time than any true attraction between them. It was all very circumstantial, and considering the main character was treated as a slave, and then a servant for almost the entirety of the book (and even after that she was a second-class citizen)… it just didn't lend itself to convincing the reader that these two people were madly in love.
It may be a small thing to take note of, but I feel like I'd be remiss in not pointing out, that for all the themes this book held regarding freedom, immigration, and adaptation, the book didn't take time to address the inequality between the sexes in this book. Sure, a distinction was made between the Imperials and the Silvers and how they treated their women, but for a book that spent so much time bringing up important themes, it feels weird that it was never addressed how wrong it was for the women or men to be so ill-treated in the societies. Volunteer 4711 never took the time to explain her own culture, beliefs, or morals to the commander. I understand that she was trying to acclimatize to her surroundings, and she wasn't on Earth anymore, but that doesn't make who she is as a person or her experience as a Human meaningless. She is still that person, even if she has evolved. It felt like this point was vastly overlooked. I think if Volunteer 4711 had taken the time to explain these things to the commander, and he had in return taken the time to absorb this information and compromise and talked out their beliefs together, it would have led to a stronger and more believable relationship between the two.
Overall, I'm glad I read the book. It was interesting, but I don’t think I liked it as a romance. It didn't feel romantic. It felt like the author set aside some pretty important aspects of writing an engaging, enjoyable book in favor of sending a message, and while thought-provoking, social themes don't necessarily make for a good romance book. There needs to be a balance, and I think this book lacked that balance.
The story took place over a long period of time with many jump cuts, and it made sense for the book to take place over a long period, but writing the book this way had its consequences. It meant that the reader didn't get to see all the ways the main character was forced to acclimatize to her new situation. It didn't allow for the reader to get an in-depth feel for the relationships between the characters, or the slow build of the romance. It sometimes made the book feel very impersonal and distanced from the reader.
And although I can't blame it all on the time factor, this was the main reason I had trouble with this book; the romance and interpersonal relationships between the characters didn't make a lot of sense from the reader's point of view. There was no flirting and no sexual tension between the commander and Volunteer 4711. Sure, there was some lust here and there, but it felt more like it was a consequence of both of the characters being celibate for an extended period of time than any true attraction between them. It was all very circumstantial, and considering the main character was treated as a slave, and then a servant for almost the entirety of the book (and even after that she was a second-class citizen)… it just didn't lend itself to convincing the reader that these two people were madly in love.
It may be a small thing to take note of, but I feel like I'd be remiss in not pointing out, that for all the themes this book held regarding freedom, immigration, and adaptation, the book didn't take time to address the inequality between the sexes in this book. Sure, a distinction was made between the Imperials and the Silvers and how they treated their women, but for a book that spent so much time bringing up important themes, it feels weird that it was never addressed how wrong it was for the women or men to be so ill-treated in the societies. Volunteer 4711 never took the time to explain her own culture, beliefs, or morals to the commander. I understand that she was trying to acclimatize to her surroundings, and she wasn't on Earth anymore, but that doesn't make who she is as a person or her experience as a Human meaningless. She is still that person, even if she has evolved. It felt like this point was vastly overlooked. I think if Volunteer 4711 had taken the time to explain these things to the commander, and he had in return taken the time to absorb this information and compromise and talked out their beliefs together, it would have led to a stronger and more believable relationship between the two.
Overall, I'm glad I read the book. It was interesting, but I don’t think I liked it as a romance. It didn't feel romantic. It felt like the author set aside some pretty important aspects of writing an engaging, enjoyable book in favor of sending a message, and while thought-provoking, social themes don't necessarily make for a good romance book. There needs to be a balance, and I think this book lacked that balance.
October 9, 2023
No. Just no. This book... It was supposed to be some grand piece of art that would send a message to the heart of the readers. We get it. SLAVERY IS BAD. We didn't need this book to tell us.
Nothing in this book made sense. Just to name one non-spoilery example - the FMC starts calling the aliens "silvers" because, duh, they're silver. So far so good. But then she starts learning their language and suddenly they call THEMSELVES Silvers too? What a coincidence!
The MMC takes her to his ship as his personal servant and... makes her read his emails? You'd think he would at least get her a translator chip but no. He makes her read his emails even though she doesn't speak the language!
I regret wasting my time reading this book.
Nothing in this book made sense. Just to name one non-spoilery example - the FMC starts calling the aliens "silvers" because, duh, they're silver. So far so good. But then she starts learning their language and suddenly they call THEMSELVES Silvers too? What a coincidence!
The MMC takes her to his ship as his personal servant and... makes her read his emails? You'd think he would at least get her a translator chip but no. He makes her read his emails even though she doesn't speak the language!
I regret wasting my time reading this book.
October 12, 2022
There are really no names in this story -just titles and positions of characters. Not gonna lie, it was okay at the beginning of the story but started actually bugging me by the time I finished. The concept of the story was intriguing but there were scenes that were skipped through or rushed and several of the details were left out. Overall, it was a quick, interesting read with a different perspective of the usual alien abduction story and adapting to a new life.
October 5, 2025
She was trained to submit. He watches her become something no one owns.
Volunteer 4711 is taken from Earth, stripped of her name, and sold off as alien property, quickly learning survival means silence. But when a high-ranking Silver commander crashes near her station, she takes a risk to save him, and maybe save herself.
He claims her as his, bringing her aboard his ship. His translator, his shadow, the one who understands him. What starts as survival slowly shifts. He starts to trust her. She starts to question everything.
Life in his world isn’t safety. It’s alien politics, invasive procedures, and a desire neither is ready for. Her body isn't just hers, but she won’t let go of the little power she’s gained.
When her fragile place is threatened, everything fractures. A betrayal and dangerous decision force the Commander to act. What’s meant to protect may cost her the very thing she’s fought to find.
She grows from background to force, captive to confident. He shifts from control to care, duty to something deeper. Their relationship is slow to burn but hard to ignore, full of tension, trust, and love that doesn't come easy.
A dark, slow-burn to high heat, alien–human romance with power imbalance and enemies to lovers energy, exploring survival, autonomy, trauma, trust, identity, and freedom. The heat builds with purpose, turning desire into a fight for control, connection, and choice.
It's about a woman stripped of everything who rebuilds herself, and a man born to command who learns to love without possession. Their bond begins in survival and ends in something unexpected: a partnership defined by choice.
Audio: Narrators Jack Calihan and Vivienne Ferrari capture the tension and intensity between 4711 and the Commander. His commanding tone and her vulnerable strength bring things alive, amplifying the story’s depth and making a great listen.
Volunteer 4711 is taken from Earth, stripped of her name, and sold off as alien property, quickly learning survival means silence. But when a high-ranking Silver commander crashes near her station, she takes a risk to save him, and maybe save herself.
He claims her as his, bringing her aboard his ship. His translator, his shadow, the one who understands him. What starts as survival slowly shifts. He starts to trust her. She starts to question everything.
Life in his world isn’t safety. It’s alien politics, invasive procedures, and a desire neither is ready for. Her body isn't just hers, but she won’t let go of the little power she’s gained.
When her fragile place is threatened, everything fractures. A betrayal and dangerous decision force the Commander to act. What’s meant to protect may cost her the very thing she’s fought to find.
She grows from background to force, captive to confident. He shifts from control to care, duty to something deeper. Their relationship is slow to burn but hard to ignore, full of tension, trust, and love that doesn't come easy.
A dark, slow-burn to high heat, alien–human romance with power imbalance and enemies to lovers energy, exploring survival, autonomy, trauma, trust, identity, and freedom. The heat builds with purpose, turning desire into a fight for control, connection, and choice.
It's about a woman stripped of everything who rebuilds herself, and a man born to command who learns to love without possession. Their bond begins in survival and ends in something unexpected: a partnership defined by choice.
Audio: Narrators Jack Calihan and Vivienne Ferrari capture the tension and intensity between 4711 and the Commander. His commanding tone and her vulnerable strength bring things alive, amplifying the story’s depth and making a great listen.
January 19, 2023
could not get into the book. I felt no connection with anything in the story and it all felt very flat.
January 10, 2023
DNF 60% so bored.
April 27, 2025
I can understand some people not seeing a connection but I always enjoyed a ML that goes from a teaching role to a lover role. I enjoyed watching her rise through the ranks and her idea of freedom being challenged.
If you are looking for romance I would not recommend this though. At the end the FL and the ML have a weirdly desperate arc about having children. The FL and ML's communication and rapport completely change with a slight hint of manipulation.
Then in the last scene it is implied that the FL was only so desperate to have children in order to obtain freedom according to the law. I wish there was more foreshadowing and deliberation in the FLs pov about this. Up until that point I thought we had a fairly reliable narrator but this last scene puts into question every thought and feeling that is described in the book. Even with this plotline it could have still ended in a bittersweet way that presents as a reflection of the human condition if we saw her consider it more in her pov. The problem isn't that the story line exists but that it was hidden from the reader. Now her final romantic line sounds performative. It also made it seem like she chose to sell her eggs to a life of possible slavery/further dehumanisation to gain her freedom. It left a bad taste in my mouth.
I know that not all stories have a happy ending but I prefer it.
Also the entire time it is implied that the ML's hidden identity will play a large part in the story but it goes nowhere except for a few throwaway lines.
I still enjoyed 80% of the book so it still deserves its 3 stars.
If you are looking for romance I would not recommend this though. At the end the FL and the ML have a weirdly desperate arc about having children. The FL and ML's communication and rapport completely change with a slight hint of manipulation.
Then in the last scene it is implied that the FL was only so desperate to have children in order to obtain freedom according to the law. I wish there was more foreshadowing and deliberation in the FLs pov about this. Up until that point I thought we had a fairly reliable narrator but this last scene puts into question every thought and feeling that is described in the book. Even with this plotline it could have still ended in a bittersweet way that presents as a reflection of the human condition if we saw her consider it more in her pov. The problem isn't that the story line exists but that it was hidden from the reader. Now her final romantic line sounds performative. It also made it seem like she chose to sell her eggs to a life of possible slavery/further dehumanisation to gain her freedom. It left a bad taste in my mouth.
I know that not all stories have a happy ending but I prefer it.
Also the entire time it is implied that the ML's hidden identity will play a large part in the story but it goes nowhere except for a few throwaway lines.
I still enjoyed 80% of the book so it still deserves its 3 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 12, 2024
It was weird. I felt like I had been reading this for forever, and only managed to get past 25%. It started to feel like a chore. Still, I didn’t find anything particularly wrong with it, so I continued. Until our dashing hero sells a hundred people and justifies himself to the fMC by saying “it was a lot of money”. Wow. Such an upstanding individual. I cannot read anymore.
There are some very weird stylistic choices, and they are not consistent across instances of the same, for example, some words are omitted from conversations because fMC doesn’t understand, but others are written in English and she seems like an idiot for not getting the meaning. For example, she thinks “I don’t understand the word ‘commander’”, and I think "How?” Why was this word actually used, when previously, whenever she didn’t understand a word, it was just omitted from the text? Same with “volunteer”. At some point she asks someone to repeat the word, and they repeat it, enunciating the syllables, in English. So I was dumbfounded. Why didn’t she understand this basic word?
Another thing is that they constantly called her "Volunteer 4711”—all the time, sometimes twice in the same sentence. It was tiresome. And she just accepted it without protest, as she accepts pretty much everything else. And I kept wondering why they called slaves “volunteers.” I kept thinking, “I don’t think it means what you think it means.”
I got no real sense of the world. Only MMC is ever described in any detail, the planet fMC arrives at is just described as “purple” and with a desertic climate, but that’s it. I have no idea what the farm she was at looked like, either. She doesn’t even know what they farm, and she’s there for months. I have no idea why the farmers hate this Commander guy, or what he commands. What kind of government do they have? Who the hell do they fight with? What is the Empire? All of this is mentioned at some point, but never explained, as if the reader should already know these things. We get the most mundane things described in detail (like him making her feed, undress, and bathe him) but not this stuff? Also, we get time skips, and fMC doesn’t even bother to count the days or something, so she doesn’t have an idea of how much time has passed, and neither does the reader.
The doctor that initially buys her does some bad things, but they're never questioned, not even by the fMC. Most of the time, she acts as if she was born into this life instead of being forcibly brought into it just months before. She doesn’t question anything, she just ducks her head and keeps obeying.
And the final thing, no one, NO ONE is ever named. MMC is just “the Commander”, and fMC is “Volunteer 4711”. And the dehumanizing, debasing nature of that practice is never addressed nor questioned. I don't know what kind of commentary the author was trying to make, but she absolutely failed, in my opinion.
There are some very weird stylistic choices, and they are not consistent across instances of the same, for example, some words are omitted from conversations because fMC doesn’t understand, but others are written in English and she seems like an idiot for not getting the meaning. For example, she thinks “I don’t understand the word ‘commander’”, and I think "How?” Why was this word actually used, when previously, whenever she didn’t understand a word, it was just omitted from the text? Same with “volunteer”. At some point she asks someone to repeat the word, and they repeat it, enunciating the syllables, in English. So I was dumbfounded. Why didn’t she understand this basic word?
Another thing is that they constantly called her "Volunteer 4711”—all the time, sometimes twice in the same sentence. It was tiresome. And she just accepted it without protest, as she accepts pretty much everything else. And I kept wondering why they called slaves “volunteers.” I kept thinking, “I don’t think it means what you think it means.”
I got no real sense of the world. Only MMC is ever described in any detail, the planet fMC arrives at is just described as “purple” and with a desertic climate, but that’s it. I have no idea what the farm she was at looked like, either. She doesn’t even know what they farm, and she’s there for months. I have no idea why the farmers hate this Commander guy, or what he commands. What kind of government do they have? Who the hell do they fight with? What is the Empire? All of this is mentioned at some point, but never explained, as if the reader should already know these things. We get the most mundane things described in detail (like him making her feed, undress, and bathe him) but not this stuff? Also, we get time skips, and fMC doesn’t even bother to count the days or something, so she doesn’t have an idea of how much time has passed, and neither does the reader.
The doctor that initially buys her does some bad things, but they're never questioned, not even by the fMC. Most of the time, she acts as if she was born into this life instead of being forcibly brought into it just months before. She doesn’t question anything, she just ducks her head and keeps obeying.
And the final thing, no one, NO ONE is ever named. MMC is just “the Commander”, and fMC is “Volunteer 4711”. And the dehumanizing, debasing nature of that practice is never addressed nor questioned. I don't know what kind of commentary the author was trying to make, but she absolutely failed, in my opinion.
October 12, 2022
What I liked: I like that the view point was alternating at a relatively equal rate. I liked the world building, for such a short book there was a surprisingly large amount of world building and cultural descriptions added. The science fiction aspect of the book is very reminiscent of Ursula le. Guin's Hainish cycle, the kind of science fiction that makes you question morality of things like slavery and patriarchal societies, etc. The kind of books that are really about the human condition.
What I didn't like: I didn't really connect to the characters here, and I didn't feel like they had any actual chemistry with each other. I suspect that's because none of the characters in the book are ever named. The female MC is just assigned a number and is okay with that being her new name (which I found weird), the male MC is only ever addressed by title and tertiary characters are identified by their position. I.e. "my friend" or "other commander." This makes it really hard to feel like they are real people. There is also SA that is not given a trigger warning, and honestly it really didnt add anything to the narrative. Just seemed thrown in there to hammer home the point that someone was a terrible person, as if owning slaves and experimenting on them while also pimping them out wasn't enough of a give away. Some of the references in the book make me think it might be part of a series or a stand alone set in a world building of the author, but this is also never addressed so I'm not sure. I had trouble connecting with the female MC because she seemed so accepting of being abused. She's described multiple times like she's a scrappy survivor, but all you actually see is her crying and cowering and just accepting her fate. At one point in the book she even says in an internal monologue that she never expected to be treated as an equal, and seems to be happy with that status. Generally speaking the characters personalities were not consistently portrayed. You're given the impression at one point that one person is a fingerbreaths away from sexually assaulting another character but then later on told that this person had extremely conservative and rigid views on sex, and that the punishment for premarital sex and rape he mets out is as extreme as it could be. And lastly, the spice was quite...uncomfortable. from strange anatomical issues to bizzare voyeuristic scenes to poorly described activities, well let's just say I was more than happy when the spice scenes were done with.
Overall, as a romance I did not care for the story. As a science fiction book, I really enjoyed the concept of the world and universe the author is building in it. Honestly, I wish it could be rewritten as traditional science fiction and just do away with the spice.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review
What I didn't like: I didn't really connect to the characters here, and I didn't feel like they had any actual chemistry with each other. I suspect that's because none of the characters in the book are ever named. The female MC is just assigned a number and is okay with that being her new name (which I found weird), the male MC is only ever addressed by title and tertiary characters are identified by their position. I.e. "my friend" or "other commander." This makes it really hard to feel like they are real people. There is also SA that is not given a trigger warning, and honestly it really didnt add anything to the narrative. Just seemed thrown in there to hammer home the point that someone was a terrible person, as if owning slaves and experimenting on them while also pimping them out wasn't enough of a give away. Some of the references in the book make me think it might be part of a series or a stand alone set in a world building of the author, but this is also never addressed so I'm not sure. I had trouble connecting with the female MC because she seemed so accepting of being abused. She's described multiple times like she's a scrappy survivor, but all you actually see is her crying and cowering and just accepting her fate. At one point in the book she even says in an internal monologue that she never expected to be treated as an equal, and seems to be happy with that status. Generally speaking the characters personalities were not consistently portrayed. You're given the impression at one point that one person is a fingerbreaths away from sexually assaulting another character but then later on told that this person had extremely conservative and rigid views on sex, and that the punishment for premarital sex and rape he mets out is as extreme as it could be. And lastly, the spice was quite...uncomfortable. from strange anatomical issues to bizzare voyeuristic scenes to poorly described activities, well let's just say I was more than happy when the spice scenes were done with.
Overall, as a romance I did not care for the story. As a science fiction book, I really enjoyed the concept of the world and universe the author is building in it. Honestly, I wish it could be rewritten as traditional science fiction and just do away with the spice.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review
October 18, 2022
Volunteer 4711 was a totally different kind of Sci-Fi Romance which may not appeal to some readers, but I found quite unique and entertaining.
MFC Volunteer 4711 (whose human name we never learn) has been taken from Earth along with other humans as “Volunteers” for the price Earth must pay to keep its inhabitants free from enslavement.
The aliens are truly alien and their culture vastly different from what our human female has known.
She adapts to her circumstances to survive but BIG changes are soon to appear in the life fate has doled out to her by the name of Commander.
I read quite a bit of Sci-Fi Romance, one of my favorite genres and though this book contains some of those usual tropes it was written with just enough offness to make it a solid stand-out from the usual fare.
Imaginative and original in scope it may have taken me a few pages to wrap my head around the events unfolding but once I did, I was taken on one heck of a good adventure.
With its fascinating storyline, well written prose and exceptional world building this audacious take on Human/Alien interactions delivers an interesting and highly different twist to the genre which has me looking forward to exploring more of this author’s works.
Highly Recommended!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
MFC Volunteer 4711 (whose human name we never learn) has been taken from Earth along with other humans as “Volunteers” for the price Earth must pay to keep its inhabitants free from enslavement.
The aliens are truly alien and their culture vastly different from what our human female has known.
She adapts to her circumstances to survive but BIG changes are soon to appear in the life fate has doled out to her by the name of Commander.
I read quite a bit of Sci-Fi Romance, one of my favorite genres and though this book contains some of those usual tropes it was written with just enough offness to make it a solid stand-out from the usual fare.
Imaginative and original in scope it may have taken me a few pages to wrap my head around the events unfolding but once I did, I was taken on one heck of a good adventure.
With its fascinating storyline, well written prose and exceptional world building this audacious take on Human/Alien interactions delivers an interesting and highly different twist to the genre which has me looking forward to exploring more of this author’s works.
Highly Recommended!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 5, 2022
‘We’ve seen the worst of human men and now we’re scared to see the worst of alien men’ – Good read
Author Olympia Black pens science fiction novels on a different level than most: human intimacy and interrelationships are of equal importance as imagined places and space perseverations. Her books to date – MY HUMAN PET, HUMAN: A Short Story About AI and Morality, and now VOLUNTEER 4711. As Olympia explains, ‘There are subtle themes throughout ‘Volunteer 4711’ that symbolize her transformation from a volunteer with no rights or privacy to an equal galactic citizen’ – the themes being survival, immigration, freedom, and culture shock - and at book’s end she offers some witty insights as to masturbation as a symbol for freedom, urination as a symbol for slavery, and the Commander’s penises (yes, plural) as a symbol for culture shock. With that aperitif, Olympia opens her colorful novel sensitively – ‘I’m finished with being afraid. I take off the ridiculous cloth covering my head to get my bearings. I’m surrounded by shaking purple fabric; it’s the other women who’ve been taken, sobbing uncontrollable on every side of me. We are the price Earth has paid so that all of humanity won’t be enslaved.’ From there to the end of this imaginative novel Olympia holds the reader’s attention with her interplay of sci-fi fantasy with Chick Lit romance. It works!
Author Olympia Black pens science fiction novels on a different level than most: human intimacy and interrelationships are of equal importance as imagined places and space perseverations. Her books to date – MY HUMAN PET, HUMAN: A Short Story About AI and Morality, and now VOLUNTEER 4711. As Olympia explains, ‘There are subtle themes throughout ‘Volunteer 4711’ that symbolize her transformation from a volunteer with no rights or privacy to an equal galactic citizen’ – the themes being survival, immigration, freedom, and culture shock - and at book’s end she offers some witty insights as to masturbation as a symbol for freedom, urination as a symbol for slavery, and the Commander’s penises (yes, plural) as a symbol for culture shock. With that aperitif, Olympia opens her colorful novel sensitively – ‘I’m finished with being afraid. I take off the ridiculous cloth covering my head to get my bearings. I’m surrounded by shaking purple fabric; it’s the other women who’ve been taken, sobbing uncontrollable on every side of me. We are the price Earth has paid so that all of humanity won’t be enslaved.’ From there to the end of this imaginative novel Olympia holds the reader’s attention with her interplay of sci-fi fantasy with Chick Lit romance. It works!
October 20, 2022
Absolutely Disgusting . . .
Volunteer 4711, who was quite content to give up a name and accept a number, is offered as a “volunteer” from Earth in payment of keeping the rest of the people free from being enslaved. Right away, I don’t see that as being true. Whether you are taken right away or get chosen later, the enslavement mentality is definitely an integrated part of your existence. When “your number is up”, it’s your turn. No thanks…. And call those “volunteers” what you wish, but taken away as a payment is not a volunteer scenario. Giving up a name to become a number is also a hateful, dehumanizing practice with psychological overtones. Experimenting on people and abusing them is also not acceptable. The actions of the so-called “doctor” were disgusting. And the main female character is too accepting of that fate.
I gave up on finishing this. It’s a demoralizing, revolting, unpleasant thing to read about and not worth my time. I see nothing redeeming in the story.
Volunteer 4711, who was quite content to give up a name and accept a number, is offered as a “volunteer” from Earth in payment of keeping the rest of the people free from being enslaved. Right away, I don’t see that as being true. Whether you are taken right away or get chosen later, the enslavement mentality is definitely an integrated part of your existence. When “your number is up”, it’s your turn. No thanks…. And call those “volunteers” what you wish, but taken away as a payment is not a volunteer scenario. Giving up a name to become a number is also a hateful, dehumanizing practice with psychological overtones. Experimenting on people and abusing them is also not acceptable. The actions of the so-called “doctor” were disgusting. And the main female character is too accepting of that fate.
I gave up on finishing this. It’s a demoralizing, revolting, unpleasant thing to read about and not worth my time. I see nothing redeeming in the story.
September 11, 2024
A story full of twists and turns
This is book two from the author Olympia Black in a series that explores the psychology of being a human pet, a volunteer (mandatory), or a slave. Volunteer 4711, the poor thing, was forced into a program that takes human females from earth and puts them in situations where they are not allowed choices or freedoms. It’s an interesting story full of twists and turns. In these books both the female and male characters evolve in some ways to be together. In this book the Commander is saved by a water woman (a human female) which angered her owner, a doctor. The Commander is strong and dangerous but Volunteer 4711 does not know this. She is assigned to keep him alive or she dies. Well somehow 4711 is successful and the Commander rewards her by taking 4711 with him. She becomes his new valet plus she gets regular access to food. Mind the triggers due to the storyline. The author’s afterwords are much better in this book than the last. Read On!
This is book two from the author Olympia Black in a series that explores the psychology of being a human pet, a volunteer (mandatory), or a slave. Volunteer 4711, the poor thing, was forced into a program that takes human females from earth and puts them in situations where they are not allowed choices or freedoms. It’s an interesting story full of twists and turns. In these books both the female and male characters evolve in some ways to be together. In this book the Commander is saved by a water woman (a human female) which angered her owner, a doctor. The Commander is strong and dangerous but Volunteer 4711 does not know this. She is assigned to keep him alive or she dies. Well somehow 4711 is successful and the Commander rewards her by taking 4711 with him. She becomes his new valet plus she gets regular access to food. Mind the triggers due to the storyline. The author’s afterwords are much better in this book than the last. Read On!
October 11, 2024
She is forced but the gov to be given as a sacrifice to some higher power aliens. They illegally sell her to a brothel/weed farm. She gets so depressed there that when a ship that falls down in the field she works at she decided if she’s gonna die it might as well be to save someone else. This man ends up being the ex-heir to the throne but was released when his entire family got slaughtered in a coup and was strung up in their square and he only heard about it after because he was in the fleet ( military supporting the gov.
He becomes a very big boss that people fear because he gets a bunch of allies from different planets and such so when he is crashed in the field they tell the girl she now has to take care of him cause if he dies they all are responsible and dies. He eventually gets better and takes her to his ship and gives her a job where she’s not starving to death.
This romance was actually was so realistic compared to other alien romances I have read and love how it wasn’t instalove they each were individuals that ended up after years of knowing each other fell in love
He becomes a very big boss that people fear because he gets a bunch of allies from different planets and such so when he is crashed in the field they tell the girl she now has to take care of him cause if he dies they all are responsible and dies. He eventually gets better and takes her to his ship and gives her a job where she’s not starving to death.
This romance was actually was so realistic compared to other alien romances I have read and love how it wasn’t instalove they each were individuals that ended up after years of knowing each other fell in love
January 21, 2023
I'm 50/50
The story was mostly interesting and I enjoyed the world building. My main struggle with the book was that it was really slow going. There was a lot of explaining monotonous everyday things but when it came to the action or interesting parts it was barely elaborated on. It also teased a bit of a sexy relationship between the main leads but it somehow made their relationship extremely unsexy even when it got to a place when it could be steamier. The author threw in some strange sexual scenes that feel flat and seemed awkward. Overall the book held me till about 3 chapters to the end and I couldn't finish it. It felt like it dragged and over elaborated in places we didn't need it to. I also felt like the male lead was basically contolling the female lead's every life choice but framed it like it would of been what she would of chose anyway. It was just very odd to me. I think a lot of people will come out feeling conflicted with this book.
The story was mostly interesting and I enjoyed the world building. My main struggle with the book was that it was really slow going. There was a lot of explaining monotonous everyday things but when it came to the action or interesting parts it was barely elaborated on. It also teased a bit of a sexy relationship between the main leads but it somehow made their relationship extremely unsexy even when it got to a place when it could be steamier. The author threw in some strange sexual scenes that feel flat and seemed awkward. Overall the book held me till about 3 chapters to the end and I couldn't finish it. It felt like it dragged and over elaborated in places we didn't need it to. I also felt like the male lead was basically contolling the female lead's every life choice but framed it like it would of been what she would of chose anyway. It was just very odd to me. I think a lot of people will come out feeling conflicted with this book.
September 25, 2023
I was surprised at how realistically the author approached every aspect of volunteer 4711's abduction and life with aliens were. I enjoyed many aspects of the book, but some things did bother me, mainly the ending. I didn't like thinking that she married the Commander and practically demanded children from him so that she could guarantee her freedom. I was all set for my happily ever after and that ending really ruined a lot of the book for me. Having said that, this book is written really well and I did like the fact that it is different from other over the top protective mushy type science fiction romance books...I'm just not sure this author's style is a good fit for my overly romantic heart. I have enough drama in my everyday life and ultimately, I really didn't like thinking and questioning the protagonist's motives in this book, especially as an ending that appeared to be more of an after though. Also, it was never mentioned if her fourth child survived or not :-(
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 21, 2023
Volunteer 4711 is night and day compared to My Human Pet. Every aspect of the story from start to finish served a purpose and it was believable. It was the appropriate tone and response for a mfc that is living and adapting to her situation. She had a similar disposition to Einsley that worked in the first book. The mmc acted true to his character of alien in high standing that remained respectable, even in his thoughts. The antagonists came from a surprise and seemed realistic. In comparison, the first book felt like watching a weird sitcom meets black mirror whereas this 4711 was a serious drama that had a realness to it.
I can’t say how glad I am for this plot driven story with the sprinkled in spice. I am a sucker for a slow burn and 4711 delivered.
I can’t say how glad I am for this plot driven story with the sprinkled in spice. I am a sucker for a slow burn and 4711 delivered.
June 21, 2024
I enjoyed reading this book and recommend it to others. Rape or forced sex for survival seems to be the norm for all human volunteers within this story. Even though 4711 isn't raped, she is forced to offer herself. There was a gap missing in the story, with most Silvers either not sexually interested in humans or ignorant on the topic, I couldn't decide which. Culturally the Silvers allow five wives for each male, this was not addressed for the Commander. So, it's unknown if he would take additional wives in the future. Also, one Silver brought up group sex, this is also not addressed for 4711 and the Commander. For me, multiple sex partners would have ended the read, I was happy that didn't happen.
April 11, 2023
A Good Headtrip
This book is excellent . I am so very impressed by how the author put in themes about liberation without people knowing about liberation. If you are interested in learning more about immigration, and what it does to the people that choose to leave their home or are forced to leave their home to come to another country and what , what liberation and actual freedom actually looks like based on one’s views, then this is the book for you. I will be reading everything that this author puts out because I love books that make me think. I truly enjoyed reading this book.
This book is excellent . I am so very impressed by how the author put in themes about liberation without people knowing about liberation. If you are interested in learning more about immigration, and what it does to the people that choose to leave their home or are forced to leave their home to come to another country and what , what liberation and actual freedom actually looks like based on one’s views, then this is the book for you. I will be reading everything that this author puts out because I love books that make me think. I truly enjoyed reading this book.
April 17, 2023
No se muy bien como explicar este libro, estoy acostumbrada al romance de alíen y humana pero esto ha sido totalmente diferente
Las diferencias culturales son muy grandes y al ser un slow burn te enteras de muy poco a poco
Sinceramente creo que no me gusto ya que es mucha información y el MMC no fue de mi agrado, pero es que la FMC tampoco. El smut es lento y apresurado al final y no muy bueno sinceramente
El final solo te deja con más dudas y además la autora tiene que explicar parte del libro
Además como se lleva la parte del embarazo es horrible
Definitivamente no lo volvería a leer ni lo recomendaría
Las diferencias culturales son muy grandes y al ser un slow burn te enteras de muy poco a poco
Sinceramente creo que no me gusto ya que es mucha información y el MMC no fue de mi agrado, pero es que la FMC tampoco. El smut es lento y apresurado al final y no muy bueno sinceramente
El final solo te deja con más dudas y además la autora tiene que explicar parte del libro
Además como se lleva la parte del embarazo es horrible
Definitivamente no lo volvería a leer ni lo recomendaría
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 5, 2025
I think this is a book that is really about more than it appears on the surface. After reading the author’s after statement some of it I understood it a little more, at least I think it did. It was well written and grammatically correct. Things I really appreciate, however that wasn’t enough to make it a book I could really enjoy. I didn’t like the gratuitous sex scenes and the total lack of any backstory. The characters must have names, but what are they? What happened that Earth was selling young women into slavery? What was the past that was alluded to by the main male character? All in all I felt it had potential that was never realized.
December 11, 2022
Definitely different
Culture shocks aside.
This was a very different romance.
There was no courting and you got the feeling that the female character had few choices.
But she was fortunate, where she ended up and how she approached her new life.
I also enjoyed the author's Afterword. Where she expanded on the themes touched upon in this story.
It was thought provoking however, it does beg the question...
What is freedom? Is anyone ever truly free?
In conclusion : This gave me WestWorld vibes.
I liked that.
Culture shocks aside.
This was a very different romance.
There was no courting and you got the feeling that the female character had few choices.
But she was fortunate, where she ended up and how she approached her new life.
I also enjoyed the author's Afterword. Where she expanded on the themes touched upon in this story.
It was thought provoking however, it does beg the question...
What is freedom? Is anyone ever truly free?
In conclusion : This gave me WestWorld vibes.
I liked that.
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